'The power of team bonding!' - Mikel Arteta laughs off Fulham's kite-flying exploits before Manchester City game, and backs Cottagers to copy Arsenal's 'unbelievable' run following Dubai trip

A number of Fulham's first team were filmed flying kites after training in West London, sparking fury from Arsenal fans on social media. It gave the impression that the Cottagers were not taking the upcoming showdown with Manchester City seriously but Arteta has labelled the event as a positive team bonding exercise.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard said: "The power of team bonding, nobody knows what it is but sometimes you get amazing results with it. I've been in teams that have struggled to win a game and go out for dinner or do an activity and start an unbelievable run, so I'm very positive that that's going to happen to Fulham!"

Elite football can't always be intense drills and serious meetings, there has to be some downtime and Fulham were having a relaxed moment that every team will experience across the week. When the stakes are so high, team bonding can be crucial and Gunners midfielder Jorginho hinted that Arsenal's recent warm-weather camp in Dubai had a major role in their resurgence in 2024.

Arsenal will be watching and waiting as City take on Fulham on Saturday before they travel to Manchester United for their penultimate game of the season. Regardless of the result at Craven Cottage, a win will keep them at the top of the Premier League until Pep Guardiola's men play Tottenham in their game in hand.